What's the best way to care for antique silverware?

1. Remove food with warm water and soap and dry with a soft cotton cloth.
2. Polish with a non-abrasive polish such as Wright's, Mish's, Hagerty or even Twinkle. It take elbow grease to remove heavy tarnish.
3. Store your silverware behind glass or in cupboard with 3M Anti-tarnish Strips that absorb the sulfites in the air that cause tarnish.
4. Do not use steel wool and other abrasives.
5. Do not use rubber bands, rubberized products or plastic wraps. Rubber bands actually will corrode silver.
6. Do not use citrus products because they remove more than tarnish and can harm the silver.

In a pinch toothpaste on a soft toothbrush or cloth can be used. It's effective but can be expensive if you plan on using a lot of it. A solution of water, baking soda and salt in a pan lined with aluminum foil also removes tarnish. The basic solution is:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups water
• Aluminum foil to line a pan

Line a pan with the foil, add water, salt and baking soda, bring to a boil, remove from heat. Dip the tarnished silver into the solution. You will smell sulfur as the tarnish moves by chemical reaction from the silver to the foil. Polish and dry with a soft cloth.Mackie had a word of caution about this method, because it removes all the tarnish it is not suitable for heavily decorated silver pieces. Experts agree the best way to care for antique silver is to let go of your fear and use it everyday.

This post was contributed via Seed.com, AOL's new platform for freelance writers.